Post-mabkiwg stamp



UNITE STATES TEN FFTOE.

MARCUS P. NORTON, OF TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FREDK, G. RANSFORD AND PETER LOV, OF TROY, NEXV YORK.

POST-T/[ARKING STAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 25,036, dated Aug-ust 9, 1859.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARCUS P. NORTON, of the city of Troy, county of Rensselaer,

'and State of New York, have invented new operation thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon and making part of this specification.

Figure l, is a perspective view. Fig. 2, shows a division of the entire stamp vertically through the center. Fig. 8, shows -the face of the stationary form of type (0 0) and each of the cylinder type as in a condition ready to give an impression in print upon an envelop, letter, or anything` else desired. Fig. 4f, shows a gage for the purpose of adjusting each and every of the aforesaid type cylinders. This gage is made as shown at- (L) same figure. This is placed upon the face of the said stationary form of type (0 0) and on the said cylinders as shown at said Fig. 4. Then by means of ribs or projections, upon the under side of said gage (L), which fit between the rows of type upon aforesaid cylinders and then by sliding it from the cylinder of months over and toward each of the other of said cylinders until each are gathered up therein, and are then, and there held upon a level, and even surface to and with the aforesaid stationary form of (0 0) until made for use by the nut (E) or by the use of the blotter (J) as aforesaid. Fig. 5, shows the channel or grooved form for the cast type as shown at Fig. 7. Fig. 6, is a section of Fig. 5, divided vertically through the center thereof, and showing the said channel, or groove.

Like figures represent and refer to like parts.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing, combining, and arranging a hand stamp hereinafter described, so as to contain a cylinder with the initials of each and every month in a. year, and two other cylinders with figures for the respective days of each and every month, also a cylinder with figures to represent ten years, more or less asthe case may be, which cylinders shall revolve upon the same shaft with each, and within a stationary form of type, and

thereby print the month, the day of the month, and the year in connection with each, and each in connection with, and at the same time of the printing of the subject matter upon the aforesaid stationary form of type.

It also, consists in attaching a blotter, hereinafter described, to the hand stamp, aforesaid, upon one or two sides thereof for the purpose of cutting, blotting, canceling or eifacing the frank, or postage stamp, so as to prevent a second use of the same, while at the same time the name of the post office, the year, the month and the dayI of the month, is printed upon the envelop,- and one side of the said frank, or postage stamp, thereby giving a good impression of the same, and prevent undue wear of the said post marking stamp in consequence of being used upon the uneven surface made by the said frank or postage stamp.

It is nowalmost impossible to get a good impression upon envelops, containing letters, &e., of the name of post office, and the date, &c., by reason of using the hand stamp upon the said frank, or postage stamp, in order to cancel, or efface the same.

It further consists in constructing a ring or stationary type holder' with a dove-tail channel, or groove, sothat the naine of any town required may be set therein, together with the initials of any State required, and when thus arranged, andthen and there firmly secured ready for use.

It, also, further consists in firmly securing and fastening cach, and every of the aforesaid cylinders in their respective places as, and when adjusted by the means hereinafter described.

The respective parts are so arranged as to render them easily cleaned, and readily adjusted to their proper and required plans, also easily repaired, or replaced when worn out. By arranging and combining each, and every part required to post mark any letter, or envelop, and to cancel the frank, or post-- age stamp thereupon as aforesaid, in the manner, and form hereinafter described, and set forth, there will be no liability, or possibility of any part thereof being lost while being transmitted in the mails, or being lost at the post ofiice, or elsewhere when the same may be required, unless the entire stamp is lost. This stamp is more convenient for post masters, and others using it on account of being easily, and readily adjusted to the year, the month, and the day of the month, and requiring not as much care to look after the various parts as now required. It occupies much less room in the mail bags while being transmitted to its place of destination. It takes less time, trouble, and expense to prepare it for such transmission. It cuts the frank, or postage stamps in as many places as there are sharp edge projections upon the face of the said blotter, while at the same operation, the places, thus cut through the said frank or postage stamp, and inked by the same means whereby the cutting was done, thus preventing a second use of such frank, or postage stamp, for although the ink thus put on be lwashed therefrom by any process, the places thus cut will show the first use, and detect, and expose the second, or fraudulent use of such frank, or postage stamp.

All the difliculties attending the efficient, and successful post marking of letters, and the blotting, and canceling of franks, or postage stamps by the use of any kind of stamp now used by the Government, are fully, and completely overcome by the use of this stamp.

Each and every part containing letters or figures are cast in a mold made expressly for such purpose, which parts, when in their respective places, are ready for use without any engraving thereon. The letters and figures are cast, chilled, or casehardened thereby making them cheaper and better than if made of Wrought iron or steel, although they may be made of such if desired.

This stamp may be used by rail road companies for the purpose of dating tickets, &c.,

` and may be used by banks for any purpose there required. It may, also, be used whenever desired when and where it can be.

To enable others skilled in the art to make, and to use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct my post ofHce-post marking stamp, as follows, to wit:

(A) Figs. 1. and 2. is the handle, and is made of wood.

(B) is the frame to receive and hold the type wheels or cylinders (f, g, h, i); also, the stationary form (--c), also, the blotter (J This frame is made of malleable cast iron and is cast in a mold to give the desired form or shape.

(f) is the type cylinder containing initials for each and every month in the year, and is cast in a mold made expressly for the purpose making such cylinder and letters thereon ready for use. This mold is made in AsiX or twelve parts, so that it may be drawn from the said cylinder when cast.

(g) is a cylinder of the same diameter as (f), and contains the numerals l, 2, 3,which are t-he only ones required upon this cylinder to give in connection with the cylinder (h) the respective days of each month as may be required. This cylinder is made in the same way yand manner as the cylinder (f).

(it) is another type cylinder of the Same diameter as (f) and (g), and contains the numerals l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and a cipher (O). This cylinder in connection with (g) will give any day in any month desired, and is made in the same way and manner as the cylinders (f and g), and is placed in close proximity with the cylinder (g).

(i) is another type cylinder of the same diameter as (f, g, la), and contains figures an abridgement for ten successive years, and is made in the same way and manner as each of the aforesaid cylinders. These cylinders are each and all arranged upon the shaft (D) and are made fast in the required place of each by the nut (E) upon one end of the shaft (D), or it may thus be secured by making the blotter (J) to serve as a nut in the place of (E) in which case the shaft would receive the blotter (J) as the nut and be moved therein for the aforesaid purpose by means of a thumb piece at the opposite end of the said shaft. yThe said shaft (D) has a shoulder or stop upon the opposite end from the nut or screw end, which shoulder bears directly against the cylinder (f), and the said cylinder against the cylinder (g), and the cylinder (g) against the cylinder (7L) and the cylinder (71,) against the cylinder (z'), and the cylinder (i) against one part of the frame (B), between the said last named cylinder and the said blotter (J) or nut (E). By moving the said nut or by turning the said shaft (D), when the blotter (J) is used as a nut as aforesaid, each cylinder is drawn against each other as aforesaid, thereby holding each cylinder by the friction of the cylinder or cylinders neXt thereto. The shaft (D) has a bearing of greater diameter at one end thereof, than at the other end. This is for the purpose as hereinbefore described. The blotter (J) is fastened to the frame (B) upon one side thereof by the use of the shaft (D) one end of which passes through the upper part of the said blotter, and which is firmly secured to the said frame by means of the nut (E), or by using it for the nut in place of the said nut (E), as aforesaid. This blotter is then and thereby retained in a fixed and strong position by means of the screws (s) in connection with the said shaft (D), the blotter (J), or nut (E), and is for the purpose of cutting, inking, blotting, eifacing and effectually canceling the frank or postage stamp, while at the same time and operation the name of the post office, the year, the month, and the day thereof are given upon the envelop or letter at one side of the said frank or postage stamp, and not upon it, ,f

as now practiced in order to efface, and to cancel it under the operation of stamping, which unduly wears out the marking stamp, gives a bad and unintelligible impression, and is in direct violation of the rules or statute of the Post Gflice Department.

This stamp may have another blotter like (J) which shall be upon the opposite side thereof, by the use of which, the frank or postage stamp would be cut, inked, blotted, effaced, and canceled upon any part of the letter or envelop where it may be placed. One blotter like (J), however, is believed to answer the required purpose. This blotter (J) may be made of any size or shape, and of any material to answer the end or urpose sought to be attained. The face, w ich receives the ink, and which comes directly upon the frank or postage stamp, is grooved or cut, thereby leaving` various projections, which have a sharp or knife edge suliicient for each to cut entirely through the frank or postage stamp, but not through the envelop immediately under the same, while at the same time the places thus cut are inked by the same sharp edge projections or cutters on the face of the said blotter as aforesaid. The said blotter (J) should be made of the best kind of cast-steel and in such shape as not to break any part thereof. The projections upon the face of said blotter may be kept sharp and in cutting order by filing and sharpening them when dull. The said stationary form (rf-c) may be made in a circle or any other shape desired, which shall contain the name of the post oflice where used, and the initials of the State where such post office may be located, or any other matter may be therein contained as the case may require. It is made of any required thickness, and has an inside and an outside ring or circle around the said type representing the name of the town or post office where used, &c. It may be cast, chilled, or case-hardened in the same manner as the aforesaid type cylinders, but the cheapest, best, and most convenient way or manner to construct it, isas shown at Fig. 5, where (c) represents or shows a channel or groove down and in the said rino' (0 0). This channel or groove is cut `from one fourth to three eighths of an inch in depth,

' or more or less as may be found necessary.

.required for any name of any town or post office, are placed in the said channel or groove through the said opening (I), then the remaining channel or groove is filled up with blocks or spaces of thc saine or other material than the said type, which prevent any type from coming out of the said channel or groove. l/Vhen the said form as shown at Fig. 5, is placed within the frame (B), Fig. 2, (I) is closed up by means thereof. lVlien the type as shown at Fig. 7 are placed in the channel or groove (c), Fig. 5, the face the said form and the face of the said type are upon a line with each, and thereby give an ,impression in print even and at the same time and operation. The said type are cast in molds as required to lit the said channel or groove. By this arrangement there will be no engraving required, nor any setting up of form for the purpose of casting from, for the respective post offices, towns, States, &c., foi` such can be set from a font of type made on purpose and kept at the Post Office Department, and set up in the said groove or channel as aforesaid. The form (0 0) Figs. l, 2, and 5, is fitted into the lower part of the frame (B), and there firmly Afastened by means of the screws (s and t) Fig. 2. There is a mortise in and through the afor-esaid form (c-0) for the purpose of receiving the aforesaid cylinders (f, g, 7i, i) whereby the printing surface of the same are upon a direct and even line of, and with the aforesaid stationary form of type (c-c) and that of the aforesaid blotter (J) so as to give an equal impression in print each with each. The aforesaid type cylinders f, g, 71., revolve within the said stationary form of type (0 0), and the printing surface of each are then, and always upon a line with each other, also, with the face of the bl otter (J), whereby the desired impression in print and ink is given, and the frank or postage stamp cut as aforesaid at the same time and operation. The frame (B) may be secured to the handle (A) in any manner deemed best. (la) Figs. 1 and 2 is a ferrule upon the handle (A) and rests directly down and upon the upper part of the frame This ferrule may be of any required size or thickness. A stem extends upward into the handle (A). This arrangement makes a strong joining of the said handle (A) and the said frame (B), or there may be a socket cast upon and with the said frame (B) and the handle (A) driven downward therein.

This stamp can be made at much less eX- pense than any other kind of stamp or stamps for the same use and purpose, and is much more convenient, and not as liable to get out of repair. No part of it can well be lost, unless the entire stamp is lost, which is to be considered in the transmission of post-marking, rating, blotting or canceling stamps through the mails, for now there are so many, separate and disconnected members or pieces, that they are liable to, and in very many instances are lost in such transmission, and at post oilices` where used. It is more easily adjusted for use, and can be kept in repair at much less expense than any other stamp for the same use and purpose. Any other matter required to be printed upon envelops, letters, &c. at any.

post office may be done in the same way and manner by preparingr type expressly therefor upon one cylinder to revolve in said stationary form 0).

Having thus set out the nature, and the construction of my stamp aforesaid, I will now proceed to describe its operation, which is simple and easy to be understood. The cylinder (f) for the months revolves upon the shaft and is brought into any required position on a line with the printing surface of the stationary type or form (0 0), and there remains for and during the month for which it is set or fixed, which when the month is ended, is then moved forward for the next month in succession, and so the operation continues until the year is completed, when the same operation is 'again repeated. The cylinder (s) is moved forward one figure every ten days during any month or year. The cylinder (7L) is moved forward one figure every day of the week, month, and year. The cylinder is moved forward one ignre every year during the term of ten years, when a new cylinder is put in its place to answer to the next ten successive years, and so on the operation continues Without limitation. By the use of these cylinders as herein described, any year, month, and day of the month of any year may be given and printed, while at the same time and'operation the frank or postage stamp is cut and inked, thereby canceling the same as aforesaid. NVhen each y cylinder is adjusted to its proper and desired place it is then firmly held by turning the nut or by the use of the blotter (J) as aforesaid, which will then bring each cylinder against each, and the side of one cylinder against the frame (B) in the manner and form as hereinbefore described. The

impression is then made upon the envelop,

letter, &c., by giving a downward and striking motion thereon. And so the operation continues foi post marking letters or for anything else desired by use of this stamp.

This stamp may be made of any size and strength desired. Any part thereof can easily be replaced whenever for any cause it may be required.

Having thus set forth and described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

The blotter (J connected or attached to the main part of any post otlice-post marking stamp, for the purpose of cutting and inking, blotting, and effacing so as to successfully cancel the frank or postage stamp of any letter or any package, at the same time and operation of marking or printing upon such letter or package the name of any postofice, the year, the month, and the MARCUS P. NORTON.

Vitnesses JN0. H. JOHNSON, T'. T. EvERE'r'r. 

